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Ministry of Human Resources: Saudi Labor Market Not Affected by Seasonal Visas

The third edition of the Digital Transformation Forum for the Ministry of Human Resources was held in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The third edition of the Digital Transformation Forum for the Ministry of Human Resources was held in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Ministry of Human Resources: Saudi Labor Market Not Affected by Seasonal Visas

The third edition of the Digital Transformation Forum for the Ministry of Human Resources was held in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The third edition of the Digital Transformation Forum for the Ministry of Human Resources was held in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Assistant Undersecretary for Systems and Business Development at the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources Dr. Ahmed Al-Abdullah said that the local labor market has not been affected by seasonal visas. He emphasized that there are no challenges in this area, and efforts are currently underway to automate seasonal and temporary visas to serve all beneficiaries.

Al-Abdullah made these remarks during the launch of the third edition of the Digital Transformation Forum for the Ministry of Human Resources in Jeddah, under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah, and in the presence of Prince Saud bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah, along with several officials and tech and digital transformation enthusiasts.

Before the start of the sessions, the Ministry’s Undersecretary for Digital Transformation, Eng. Faisal Bakhashwain, highlighted that Saudi Arabia has made unprecedented achievements in digital transformation, which positioned the country high on global digital competitiveness indices.

He added: “We have exceeded our targets for 2030, aiming to place Saudi Arabia among the top 10 countries in the world in digital transformation, a goal made possible through the support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who have played a key role in advancing government transformation and the digital economy.”

Al-Abdullah, for his part, told Asharq Al-Awsat that specific criteria and regulations apply to establishments seeking seasonal visas, particularly those operating during the Hajj season. These visas are granted based on business requirements submitted through the “Qiwa” platform. He also noted that the Ministry successfully countered 1.2 million cyberattacks in September.

The Ministry collaborates with over 128 countries on professional verification and assessment to raise the competency of workers in the private sector, he said, adding that 400 offices have been set up for international domestic labor recruitment.

“When it comes to labor market violations, we intervene to prevent any irregularities by working with relevant authorities to correct and encourage compliance,” he stressed.

The Ministry has introduced 12 models using emerging technologies for Saudization decisions, which previously took up to six months but now can be completed in just two working days using artificial intelligence, Al-Abdullah remarked.

A new billing system is also set to launch in the coming days, along with robotic programs to boost support and transparency for families eligible for social security, with data being collected from over 19 sources.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Shared Services Ismail Al-Ghamdi noted that the forum aligns with the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to keep pace with rapid technological advancements and achieve the objectives of Vision 2030 in digital transformation.

Over 1,000 services have been automated, leading to the launch of numerous digital platforms that have significantly improved the beneficiary experience and satisfaction, he revealed.

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Business

Turkish Inflation Near 2% Monthly in March, Below Forecasts

A full moon rises behind Galata Tower, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP)
A full moon rises behind Galata Tower, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP)
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Turkish Inflation Near 2% Monthly in March, Below Forecasts

A full moon rises behind Galata Tower, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP)
A full moon rises behind Galata Tower, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP)

Turkish consumer price inflation was 1.94% month-on-month in March, while the annual figure fell to 30.87%, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute showed ‌on Friday.

In ‌a Reuters ‌poll, ⁠monthly inflation was ⁠forecast to be 2.32%, with the annual rate seen at 31.4%, driven by ⁠a rise in ‌fuel prices ‌and weather-related pressures ‌on food inflation.

In ‌February, consumer prices rose 2.96% month-on-month and 31.53% year-on-year, broadly in ‌line with estimates and reinforcing expectations that ⁠the ⁠disinflation process may be stalling.

The data also showed the domestic producer index rose 2.30% month-on-month in March for an annual increase of 28.08%.

Business

Oil Prices Surge While Asian Share Prices Rise Moderately

FILE - Workers walk in an area at a degassing station in Zubair oil field, whose operations have being reduced due to the Mideast war triggered by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, near Basra, Iraq, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)
FILE - Workers walk in an area at a degassing station in Zubair oil field, whose operations have being reduced due to the Mideast war triggered by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, near Basra, Iraq, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)
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Oil Prices Surge While Asian Share Prices Rise Moderately

FILE - Workers walk in an area at a degassing station in Zubair oil field, whose operations have being reduced due to the Mideast war triggered by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, near Basra, Iraq, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)
FILE - Workers walk in an area at a degassing station in Zubair oil field, whose operations have being reduced due to the Mideast war triggered by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, near Basra, Iraq, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)

Oil prices continued to surge on worries of a prolonged Iran war but the Asian markets that were open Friday rose moderately in cautious trading, while others were closed for the Good Friday holidays.

Benchmark US crude rose 11.4% to $111.54 a barrel. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, jumped 7.8% to $109.03 per barrel, The Associated Press said.

“A more extended conflict raises the threat to physical infrastructure, extends disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, and will entail a longer post-war recovery period, with price impacts spilling over later into the year,” according to a report from BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions.

The US only relies on the Arabian Gulf for a fraction of the oil it imports, but oil is a commodity and prices are set in a global market.

The situation is very different in Asia. Japan, for example, relies on access to the Strait of Hormuz for much of the nation’s oil import needs and would need to rely on alternative routes. But some analysts say Japan and other nations are counting on an agreement with Iran to allow transports.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 0.9% in Friday morning trading to 52,938.62. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 2.1% to 5,344.41. The Shanghai Composite sank 0.5% to 3,899.57. Trading was closed in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia and India.

Wall Street, where trading is closed Friday, finished its first winning week since the start of the Iran war, although trading started out with a decline driven by a surge in oil prices.

That came after US President Donald Trump late Wednesday vowed the US will continue to attack Iran and failed to offer a clear timetable for ending the conflict in the Middle East.

The S&P 500 rose 7.37 points, or 0.1%, to 6,582.69. Several days of solid gains this week helped the benchmark index notch a 3.4% gain for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 61.07 points, or 0.1%, to 46,504.67. The Nasdaq composite rose 38.23 points, or 0.2%, to 21,879.18. Both indexes also notched weekly gains.

Treasury yields remained relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to to 4.30% from 4.32%.

In currency trading, the US dollar edged up to 159.66 Japanese yen from 159.53 yen. The euro cost $1.1535, inching down from $1.1537.

Business

Saudi Arabia Boosts Firms’ Readiness for Supply Chain Challenges

Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)
Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Boosts Firms’ Readiness for Supply Chain Challenges

Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)
Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)

Amid mounting geopolitical tensions threatening global supply chains, particularly disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to shield its economy by strengthening private sector readiness to withstand external shocks.

Asharq Al-Awsat has learned that the Federation of Saudi Chambers is moving to boost companies’ preparedness, unify procedures, and keep business flowing smoothly amid rising logistical risks.

The push underscores authorities’ focus on safeguarding the domestic market by helping businesses adapt quickly and strengthen operational resilience, supporting economic stability and sustained growth.

Future decisions

As part of efforts to bolster supply chain resilience, the Federation of Saudi Chambers is mapping challenges facing companies and national institutions, aiming to present the sector’s voice directly, build a clear picture of on-the-ground obstacles, and help shape future decisions.

It is tracking operational and logistical hurdles and turning them into inputs for relevant authorities to improve regulations and support market-based decision-making.

Improving the regulatory environment

The federation has asked companies to pinpoint challenges across ports, airports, logistics hubs, and warehouses, as well as those tied to regulators.

It urged firms to specify issues such as clearance or transit delays, procedural disruptions, added costs, lack of information, conflicting instructions, and regulatory requirements, along with their impact, whether financial or operational, including delivery delays, lost clients, suspended contracts, damaged cargo, and supply chain breakdowns.

The findings are expected to feed into regulatory improvements and more informed policymaking.

Alternative routes

Saudi Arabia has rolled out proactive logistics measures to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, including new corridors linking Gulf ports through alternative land and sea routes, Red Sea options, and additional shipping services to expand port capacity.

The Transport General Authority said licensed operators will be allowed to carry goods for third parties until Sept. 25, aiming to boost fleet efficiency and flexibility.

The authority said the step will help companies make better use of capacity, support supply chain continuity, and improve cargo movement within the kingdom and to neighboring countries.

On Thursday, it also approved regulatory updates extending deadlines for land freight firms to adjust their status, aiming to raise efficiency and compliance.

The extension covers heavy and light transport activities until Aug. 27, 2026, giving companies more time to meet regulatory requirements.

It also includes cases involving the reclassification of vehicle registration from private to public use in heavy freight, in a move to better regulate the sector and improve fleet utilization.